Although the gay and lesbian community seems to be muted or not apparent in Madeira there is quite a sizeable part of the population that enjoys this lifestyle. It seems that being gay in Madeira is actually quite acceptable, as long as you don’t brazenly flaunt yourself in front of the church elders at mass, perhaps. Many individuals enjoy a healthy relationship with like minded persons and a bit like any other Mediterranean community there is quite a bit of liberal pursuit to satisfy the lifestyle.

It may surprise some visitors that there is even a gay beach, albeit not so heavily frequented since the beaches are not really made of golden sand but steep cliffs and rocks. It may even surprise gay visitors further that there is not just one beach but two! The first is the steep cliff beach just off the Ponta Gorda, below the esplanade that separates it from the “Magic Gardens” near the Pestana Grand Hotel. The other is in Caniço de Baixo but, err...., the writer of this article, as of this time, does not know exactly where in Caniço de Baixo , safe to say that many gays refer to it.

The most important addition to the gay lifestyle in recent times has
been the opening of the gay bar, restaurant and night club called
“Archipelagos” situated in Rua do Bom Jesus – right opposite the
Francisco Franco museum and high school. The other all-important and
vigorous meeting place for gay Madeirans is the internet! In particular
the - very popular we might say - Gaydar web site, which has a very
active and plentiful list of individuals seeking to meet others.
Until recently the “Bar do Teatro” was a place to be seen by gays. This
bar is situated in the terraced yard alongside the Municipal theatre
(the “Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias”). But its constant change of
management – every five years or so – changes the theme and ambience of
the watering hole. In its current evolved state it is a very commercial
esplanade with a heavily frequented night club area (covered by a tent)
visited mostly by young Madeiran turks and upwardly mobile young
individuals who happen to be quite gay friendly.

Most night clubs are a mix of straight and gay revellers in Madeira
anyway – the alternative lifestyle is not seen as so alternative
anyway. You could go to the casino, for example, and play some games
there. The Copacabana night club incorporated into the casino structure
is a good example of the subtle mix of straight and gay participants.
It is rare, almost unheard of, to hear of any type of gay bashing in
Madeira. It seems that Madeira lives up to its warm Mediterranean
spirit – that of liberal social standards in a warm and friendly
environment.